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Committee approves notice requirement when utilities plan hydrogen blends over 2.5%
Summary
The House Climate, Energy, and Environment Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 685a, which would require natural gas utilities to notify affected customers and the Public Utility Commission when planned hydrogen blending would exceed 2.5% by volume; members debated PUC authority and safety concerns before passing the motion.
Chair Lively opened a work session on Senate Bill 685a Thursday, May 22. Committee staff summarized the bill as requiring a natural-gas utility to provide notice to affected customers and to the Public Utility Commission if the utility plans to increase hydrogen blending so that the hydrogen volume would exceed 2.5 percent of the gas mix; staff said the bill specifies information required in the PUC notice and on utility websites and has a minimal fiscal impact and no revenue impact.
Vice Chair Gamba moved the bill to the floor with a due-pass recommendation; the motion passed after debate. Representative Owens spoke in opposition, saying he believed the measure would give the PUC additional authority over utilities that he considered unnecessary and that hydrogen blending has a proven safety record. “I think we’re giving you the PUC additional authority over some of our utility providers that I don’t think is needed,” Owens said, adding concerns about pipe construction at higher hydrogen concentrations but noting industry limits.
Another member echoed the opposition and said they would vote no for the same reasons. The committee nevertheless carried the motion; the chair then asked for a floor carrier for the bill and members identified a representative to carry it on the floor.
The bill proceeds with a due-pass recommendation and referral to the Committee on Rules; the committee did not enact a floor-level vote in this session. The transcript includes roll-call statements and a final committee determination that the bill is on its way to Rules and requires a carrier on the House floor.
